5 things you SHOULD do in the Pedicure room

Last week we spoke about the what not to do in the Pedicure room. Thank you to all of you, for your comments

We so often get bogged down with the process, we forget about the journey. “Journey” an act or instance of traveling from one place to another.

Personally, I prefer the latter. However, in all honesty…..it’s not always as easy as it sounds.

Working in the Pedicure room is not an easy task.  We have to make sure we have all the products we need to perform the service.  We must have the tools we need. Our tools, our work area needs to be cleaned and disinfected. We need to take care of our clients.

We need to do all this with a happy face. Regardless of what our clients feet look like, how they treat us, how demanding they may be and, we have to do all this within a typical 50-60 minute time frame.

In addition, add the fact that we are the first responders.  Performing a Pedicure today is not like performing a Pedicure 10-15-20 or more years ago. Heck, I personally remember the days of letting my clients soak for 30 minutes in steaming hot water while I visited with other clients over their cigarette break. Crazy to think about the things we use to do.

But now, with the age of the internet, the amount of competition, our sue happy society and the fact that everyone wants “what’s in it for me”……we have to be a bit more careful, a bit more attentive, definitely more knowledgeable, more aware and just downright smarter.

So….What SHOULD we do in the pedicure room?

1. Educate – this is #1 priority.  All our Technicians performing foot care services should be educated above and beyond what we learn in Nail School.  We all know, the very few hours of training we receive in order to obtain our license is BS. There are so many forms of education available these days.  There is paid education and there is FREE education.  I make no apologies for my anger in this statement.  THERE IS NO EXCUSE!
2. Consultation – it is so hard for me to understand how Pedicurist are still offering a Pedicure service without performing a client consultation.  There are so many health challenges we face today.  Many of those challenges have to be addressed prior to performing any Pedicure service.  Even if you know your client and have servicing him or her for years, basic questions need to be asked.  After all, a lot can happen over a 4 – 6 week period.
3. Disinfection – everyone in your Salon, especially your Pedicure room should know your “proper” disinfection procedures.  There should be a team meeting (at least once, if not twice per year) regarding disinfection.  What are your States requirements?  What are the medical challenges with the disinfections you choose?  How do you handle accidents?  What is the proper cleaning and disinfection procedure for the product you use?  All these questions and more need to be addressed.
4. Tools & implements – are you working with 1 set of tools?  Impossible! There is absolutely no way 1 set of tools can be “properly” used throughout the day….if you are cleaning and disinfecting properly.  You may feel like it’s too much of an expense to have more than 1 set of tools and implements.  But, alternating them will give your tools longer life, increase your proficiency and give you the proper amount of time needed for proper cleaning and disinfection.
5. Professionalism – it seems foolish for me to feel like I have to make this the top 5 “should’s” in the Pedicure room, but truly…..the things i’ve seen.  Cell phones should be non-visible.  Techs shouldn’t have drinks or food in the area.  Be cognitive of how much of your breasts are exposed….dress to impress.  Open toe shoes should not be worn.  Gloves need to be made a priority.  Hair shouldn’t be dangling over the clients feet.  Image!  It is very important regardless of what arena you work in.